NSW Mentoring

Following on from NAWIC’s successful Mentoring Program 2022 in NSW (whilst also adapting to the post-COVID world), we are pleased to announce that the NAWIC NSW 2023 Mentoring Program has officially launched and applications are now open for both mentees and mentors.

The program is being generously supported by Laing O'Rourke for the 5th year and will continue to be facilitated by Annette Gray of Annette Gray Consulting an industry expert in coaching, mentoring and leadership.

About the Program

Running for over 10 years, the program offers individual matches for mentors and mentees based on age, experience and goals rather than similar construction profession. The focus of each mentor/mentee relationship is on personal and professional development rather than technical knowledge. NAWIC will attempt to match up Mentors and Mentees based on age, experience and goals rather than profession so that the focus of each relationship is on personal and professional development rather than technical knowledge.

Anyone is eligible to join the program as a mentor, male or female, provided they have at least five years' experience in the construction industry.

Mentees must be female NAWIC members of all ages, experience and tenure in the construction industry.

Mentors and mentees come from all aspects of the construction industry and all locations across NSW.

Generally, a mentoring partnership will last between 9-12 months with about 1-2 hours of face-to-face/online (i.e Zoom or Teams) meetings each month although this is up to the individual mentors and mentees to agree what works best for them.

The program is supplemented with events throughout the year where the program participants can expend their networks, learn from one another and benefit from facilitated workshops. Guest speakers are also a feature of the events on topics such as networking and difficult conversations. Note that due to COVID-19, we will review in 2023 whether events this year will take place face to face or online as we like to prioritise having events face-to-face to enable great networking.

Should you have any queries or need any assistance to complete your application please contact the NAWIC NSW Mentor Committee on [email protected].

Applying as a Mentee

Our program operates thanks to volunteers who share their time and experience. For this reason, NAWIC expects a high level of commitment from mentees throughout the year. 

We aim to accept circa 40-60 mentee applications, based on the selection process outlined below*.

Selection criteria:

• Only detailed and complete applications will be considered, the more detail and specific you can include on your application the better we can select a mentor specifically for your needs,
• Timing of all applications is imperative, and we operate based on earlier application given the first priority - the first 40 fully complete applications are guaranteed a spot.
• Previous applicants who were not accommodated in the previous year are also considered a priority.

Unfortunately we will also not be able to accommodate repeat applicants. However, if it has been 3 years or more (prior to 2019) since you last participated in the NAWIC mentoring program as a mentee, then we will consider your application, subject to the above criteria and availability.

To apply as a mentee please email a completed Mentee Application Form, and a copy of your resume to this email. Please be really detailed in what you are hoping to achieve from the mentoring program.  This enables us to match mentees and mentors more accurately.

The cost of the participation in the Mentoring Program 2023 is $195.00 for Mentees only (there is no cost for Mentors to participate).

Included in this fee are tickets to attend the 3 NAWIC mentee events during the course of the year which include professional mentor coaching and networking opportunities.

In addition, each mentee event will include a free to enter lucky-door prize to win one of five tickets to attend a NAWIC event of your choice with your mentor.

Some quotes from previous Mentees are:

“I have been able to see things from a new perspective and understand the construction industry as a whole and how I can contribute as a woman much clearer. It has been very valuable to be able to confide in someone outside of my company who is a woman in the same industry to seek advice/ inspiration from.”

“My mentor helped me get on to a better career path, as well as learning to navigate my way to become a middle manager early on in my career.”

“I’ve really appreciated having an ongoing relationship with my Mentor, and having someone to still call for advice and bounce ideas off. I feel I was very well suited to my mentor.”

NOTE: Mentor Program Fee of $195 is refunded if we are unable to match with a suitable mentor.

Mentoring Program Fee

Applying as a Mentor

NAWIC truly appreciates that the quality of our mentoring program relies upon the quality of our volunteer Mentors. Whether you are a first-time mentor or have many years of experience, we are able to offer the support of a structured program providing guidance and encouragement throughout the year.

Anyone with at least five years’ experience in the construction industry, male or female, is eligible to mentor. We are always looking for strong mentors, so please do spread the word amongst your peers and colleagues.

NAWIC can offer our volunteer Mentors the following benefits:

• Invitation to our Mentoring and Coaching Development Workshop to learn the skills needed to be a good mentor. This workshop will be delivered by our professional mentor coach, Annette Gray;
• Recognition at the 2023 Awards for Excellence; and
• A support pack to work through with your mentee

The feedback from our mentors shows the value they receive:

“I often feel guilty that mentors get to take part in the program for free, I feel like I learn just as much if not more than my mentee!”

“The NAWIC mentoring programme is incredibly well organised allowing mentors and mentees alike to reach their potential through mutual experience. The structured nature of the programme has allowed me to be invested in the success of my mentee as well as cultivating my own communication and leadership skills”

“As a male mentor, it’s been so valuable to hear and really understand the challenges that women are really facing in the industry. As a leader, I’ve taken these insights back to my leadership team to help my own organisation be better and stronger with our diversity strategies.”

“I’ve been acting as a mentor for nearly 20 years and the program that NAWIC runs has been the first time I’ve had real training on what is means to be a mentor versus a coach.”

To apply as a Mentor please email a completed Mentor Application Form and a copy of your resume to this email.

KEY DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

Annette Gray

Director of Annette Gray Consulting

M. App Sci (Comm Mgt) PCC (ICF) SP (EMCC)